Direct Tension Test for Rock Material Under Different Strain Rates at Quasi-Static Loads

A study was conducted to introduce an apparatus, a loading device, and the sample preparation for the direct dynamic tension test with side confinement for rock material. The gypsum samples were first employed in the tests at different strain rates and the test results were compared with those obtained from the Brazil method, to verify the reliability and applicability of the apparatus. The direct dynamic tension test for granite samples at strain rates ranging from 10-5 to 10-2 s-1 was conducted to investigate the change of the tensile strength with the strain rate and comparison was done between the test results and those derived from the Brazil method. Dynamic direct tension test for gypsum and granite samples at different strain rates and side confinement was also carried out. The effects of strain rate and side confinement on the tensile strengths of gypsum and granite were experimentally investigated.